A Berks County firefighter is up against the battle of his life, but the community has stepped up in a big way. His friends have already raised about $20,000. On Friday night, they tried to add to that total to help defray the cost of his medical bills.

It's was casino night inside The Inn at Reading. Everyone placed their bets, and rolled the dice to help support Ron, or better known as "Moose" Wentzel.

"He's just a great all around guy. You can't help but love Ronnie," said Regina Shade, a friend of Ron.

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The first deputy chief of the Reading Fire Department is battling an aggressive type of brain cancer.

"I'm used to being on the other side of this as one of the chiefs going to help them, now the roles are reversed," said Wentzel, who is about five weeks into treatments.

"Moose" said he was thrown a curve ball, and has been given only 10 to 12 months to live, but he continues to have a positive attitude.

"Just tell me what I need to do, and we're going to do it so I can get back in my chief's car and get back to work," he said.

The chief's friends have come to his side, and put down their money, hoping he beats the odds.

"His whole life has been about giving to others, so this is a way for us to show how much we love him when him and his family need it the most," said Kim Reifsnyder, who helped organize the event.

"Moose" and his family have a long road ahead, but in a way he feels like he's already hit the jackpot.

"I'm just so appreciative and so overwhelmed by a lot of the stuff they have done already and continue to do," he said.

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